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The future for Smithfield's North Point Estate is now a little clearer with local developer and builder John Richardson fighting off interstate and foreign interest for the purchase. The residential subdivision is a key development site on Cairns northern beaches opposite the Smithfield shopping centre and part of the originally planned Smithfield Town Centre.
The site was originally pegged to carry an extension to the Smithfield shopping centre, including a theatre complex and unit development, until plans were blocked following the collapse of owner Capital Globe Group in 2010.
John Richardson's company has in the past been a strict housing construction business so it is easy to assume that this will too be the future for North Point Estate ...however watch this space as further details are clarified...
Smithfield North Point Sale Coup
Article printed in the Cairns Post - Wednesday 15th February 2012
LOW-profile developer and builder John Richardson has beaten off strong competition to acquire the strategic North Point Estate residential subdivision at Smithfield.
His company Richardson Plant Hire has bought the 18.4ha property alongside the Captain Cook Highway for $3.7 million plus GST.
The northern section of the property once formed part of the $500 million Smithfield Town Centre project proposed by developer Steve Pellegrino.
However, the Cairns Regional Council blocked the centre in March last year.
Northpoint has existing development approval for residential sub-division with mixed zoning, including residential 2 and 3.
A two-level display home is included. A section of the land is south of Stanton Rd while the bulk of the property is north of the road.
Mr Richardson, who owns David McCoy Homes, Ken Frost Construction and Cairns Key Real Estate, said he had yet to decide what he planned for the property.
He said he would meet Mr Pellegrino to discuss what options were available with the northern section.
Mr Richardson is also involved with the development of the Seaside at Kewarra 56-lot residential estate off Poolwood Rd, the 19.5ha Half Moon Bay Estate at the end of Reed Rd at Trinity Park and the Smithfield Village master planned community, also at Trinity Park.
Urban Development Institute of Australia Far North branch president Gerard Obersky said Mr Richardson was long established as a quality contractor in civil and building construction as well as a leading developer with a proven record.
"Never scared to have a go, he has been innovative and progressive," Mr Obersky said.
"John’s recent acquisition in North Point Estate is the strongest possible endorsement in the area by a local developer."
The property was sold through an expressions of interest campaign by Colliers International Cairns for Brisbane-based McGrathNicol receivers.
Managing director Stacey Quaid said there was keen interest in the property from throughout Australia, China and New Zealand.
He said the property was very strategic with a handful of short-listed offers considered by the receivers on behalf of the National Australia Bank.
Mr Quaid said Mr Richardson was an ideal buyer with many years’ experience in putting together house and land packages.
He said there was a shortage of residential land on the northern beaches and this would help meet demand.
"It’s fantastic that a local buyer is the new owner," Mr Quaid said.
The prominent development site was associated with murdered businessman Shaquil Haque.
The sale follows the collapse of the Capital Globe Group, the company headed by Mr Haque.
In February last year, McGrathNicol was appointed receivers by the National Australia Bank.
Mr Haque and his financial adviser Charles Young were shot dead in the Pakistan capital Islamabad in 2010.
View the Cairns Post article online
here
